"Once we got away from the event and we were able to settle we had a conversation amongst ourselves as a group ...we wanted to give it some meaning or some constructive outcome because it was so devastating.

"We determined that we would set up a trust fund to assist the porters with their immediate medical needs as well as we could and probably to look after their ongoing care."

A third man has died as a result of the injuries suffered in last week's machete attack on the Australian trekking group.

Of the seven porters admitted to hospital in Lae after the ambush, Lionel Agilo was the in the worst condition having sustained machete wounds to his head, back, arms and lower legs.

He died on Sunday night after going into cardiac arrest.

Mr Bennett says the Lionel's death highlights the hurdles of emergency health care in the country.

"Things aren't immediate there.

"People had been waiting nearly a week now for care. We want to ensure that when they do come out of it that there is something to support them to rehabilitate.

"Over there it's third world at best so organisation infrastructure, availability of doctors, nurses and medication ... it's challenged.

"This is not about a hand out, we need to plan a hand up so we can support them as they go forward."

Mr Bennett says he doubts some of the injured will ever be able to walk again, which will take away their livelihood.

"When I think about the injuries that I saw, some of those guys will not be able to do that.

"One trek gets maybe 500-600 Kuna and if you do one or two a year, that helps the whole family for the year because it's subsistence living."

A Facebook page has been set up with the details people need to donate directly into the trust and there are collection bins set up at Mr Ward's coffee shop in Mackay.

Mr Bennett says the response so far has been overwhelming.

"(Steve's) banking over the weekend was around $850 and that's just in the few days that those collection bins have been there.

"We have two donations of $1000 each from Mackay straight into the account as well.

"I like to think we can make a difference to the lives of these people and perhaps over time the legacy may be that we could educate more children so that these events don't happen."